Orthopedic apparatus.



F. HAAS.

ORTHOPEDIG APPARATUS.

APPLVIOATION FILED NOV. 27, 1912.

I 1,100,430. Patented June 16,1914.

COLUMBIA PLANQGRAVM c 000000000000000000 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANZ I-IAAS, OF PRAGUE, AUSTRIA-HUNGARY.

OBTHOPEDIC APPARATUS.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANZ HAAs, a subject of the Emperor of Austria-Hungary, residing at Prague, Austria-Hungary, have invented an Improvement in Orthopedic Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

I am aware that heretofore various forms of braces have been constructed and applied in orthopedic surgery, and that such devices have consisted in waistbands and various forms of braces connected thereto, by means of which pressure may be brought to bear upon that portion of the body to be treated. So far as I am aware, however, none of these devices have been so constructed that when in use substantially equal pressure was brought to bear upon the entire surface to be treated, and therefore the object of my invention is the provision of such an apparatus in the use of which, when properly adjusted, a regulatable pressure may be brought to bear and to be evenly distributed over the entire surface which it is desired to treat.

In carrying out my invention, I employ a waistband, to which are connected back braces, the inner surfaces of which, in predetermined and corresponding positions, are recessed in such a manner that when the parts are properly adjusted these recessed portions are brought to bear upon the outer portions of the surface to be treated. The apparatus also includes means for adjusting the position of the back braces and means for varying the amounts of pressure brought to bear upon the surface to be treated, all of which will be hereinafter more particularly described.

In the drawing, Figure 1 is an elevation of the orthopedic apparatus comprising my present invention. Fig. 2 is an elevation of one of the back brace members. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the same, and Fig. 4 is a partial plan showing one of the straps with a spring plate secured thereto.

Referring particularly to the drawing, my improved orthopedic apparatus preferably comprises a belt or waistband a which, asv

will be understood, is adapted to pass around and be secured to the waist of the patient. To this belt, in suitable positions, are connected a pair of back braces, indicated at b 7). The upper portion of these braces is preferably pivotally connected to the lower portions thereof, as indicated at Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed November 27, 1912.

Patented June 16, 1914.

Serial No. 733,745.

6 Z), so that the upper portions may be swung on their pivotal points to adjust the braces to their required position. At their outer or free ends the back braces b may be secured together and in position by a tie-bar d, the ends of which are provided with suitable slots, through which screws d pass into tapped openings provided therefor in these ends of the back braces. Each back brace b in suitable and corresponding position in its inner face is recessed, as indicated at f, in order that these back braces may be fitted more closely to the outer contour of the surfaces to be treated. Connected to and extending between these recessed braces f of the back braces, is an adjustable lacing device indicated at Z adapted, as will be understood, to extend across a portion of the surfaces to be treated to exert an adjustable pressure thereon. The apparatus is also provided with side braces, indicated at g, and passing around or over these side braces and connected permanently at one end in the back braces b are straps indicated at h. At their opposite or free ends, these straps h are adapted to be connected in different positi%ns to the back braces Z), as is indicated at As will be readily understood, the variation in pressure brought to bear upon the surfaces to be treated may be determined by the positions in which the free ends of these straps h are connected to the back braces b. I also prefer to employ, connected to each of the straps h, a spring plate 2'. Each spring plate z bears against the outer surface of a projecting support indicated at 7c in such a manner as to cause the latter to exert an evenly distributed pressure upon the surfaces to be treated, each protecting support being connected to a back brace b. As also indicated in the drawing, I may provide the apparatus with a pair of blades, indicated at a, each one of which is adjustably connected to one of the back braces b.

I claim as my invention:

1. An orthopedic apparatus comprising a belt, adjustable braces connected to the belt, an adjustable device connected at its distant edges to the said braces, support members projecting laterally from the said braces, strap members, and a spring plate connected to each of the said strap members and bearing against the said support members to cause the latter to exert a yielding evenly distributed pressure over that portion of the surface of the body with which the said support members contact.

2. An orthopedic apparatus comprising a belt, adjustable back braces connected thereto and provided in corresponding places With recessed portions in their inner surface, making the same flexible at the remembers projecting laterally from the said back braces, and a spring plate connected to each of the said strap members bearing against the said support members to cause the latter to exert a yielding evenly distributed pressure over that portion of the surface of the body with which the said support members contact.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

FRANZ HAAS. Witnesses:

M. M. DR. OLAKAR CrroLINsKY, ADoLPH FIsoHER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents Washington, D. G.

' as my invention, I have signed my name in I i 

